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American Association of
Physics Teachers Event ParticipationCode of Conduct

AAPT Event Participation Code of Conduct

1.Introduction

The American
Association of Physics Teachers (“AAPT”) is dedicated to providing a safe and productive
experience at all AAPT sponsored events for all event participants, regardless
of sex, race, color, personal appearance, national origin, religion, age,
physical disability, mental disability, perceived disability, medical
condition, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other basis
protected by federal or applicable state laws or local ordinances. (See also AAPT’s Statement on Diversity in
Physics Education.)AAPT does not tolerate discrimination, or any
form of unlawful harassment, and is committed to enforcing this Event
Participation Code of Conduct (the “Code”) at all AAPT events.As a professional society, the AAPT is
committed to providing an atmosphere that encourages the free expression and
exchange of scientific and educational ideas. Furthermore, AAPT upholds the philosophy of
equal opportunity for and treatment of all event participants and staff in any event
venue, whether in person or online.

2.Scope
of Code

AAPT requires
compliance with the Code by all event participants, staff, guests, and vendors
at all official AAPT conferences, meetings, meeting breakout sessions, tours,
and social events as well as at all AAPT meeting-related events that are expressly
sponsored or promoted by AAPT, whether held in public or private facilities
(each may be referred to herein as an “Event” or collectively, as the “Events”).

3.Harassment
Defined

Unlawful harassment includes
verbal, physical, and visual conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive,
or hostile environment.Harassing
conduct can take many forms and includes, but is not limited to, the
following:slurs, epithets, derogatory
comments, insults, degrading or obscene words, jokes, demeaning statements,
offensive gestures, or displaying derogatory or demeaning pictures, drawings, or
cartoons based upon an individual’s sex, race, color, personal appearance,
national origin, religion, age, physical disability, mental disability,
perceived disability, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, sexual
orientation, or any other basis protected by federal or applicable state laws
or local ordinances.

Sexually harassing conduct
in particular includes all of these prohibited actions, as well as other
unwelcome conduct, such as unwanted sexual advances, whether or not the Event
participant submits to the invitation; lewd propositions or innuendos; leering;
making sexual gestures; making sexually suggestive or graphic comments or
engaging in sexually-oriented conversation; sexually suggestive objects,
graphics, pictures, or posters, whether physically displayed in the Event
location or accessed over the Internet; making or using derogatory comments,
epithets, slurs or jokes; the touching or display of one’s own body; or
physical touching or assault, as well as impeding or blocking movements.

Sexually harassing conduct
can be by a person of either the same or opposite sex.It is unlawful for males to sexually harass
females or other males, and for females to sexually harass males or other
females.Conduct that begins as
consensual in nature may become harassment if one party withdraws his or her
consent.Sexual or other harassment
prohibited by law is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

The above is
not a complete list of what may be deemed sexual or other unlawful harassment
prohibited by law.It is impossible to
define every action or word that could be interpreted as harassment.However, AAPT has a "zero
tolerance" policy toward discrimination and all forms of unlawful
harassment.AAPT reserves the right to
discipline Event participants who engage in any inappropriate conduct, even if
it is not specifically referred to in this Code or is not actionable as sexual
or any other form of harassment.

2.demeaning
comments or harassment about a person’s professional status or qualifications;

3.sexual
harassment, as defined in Section 3;

4.abusive
conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with another
person’s ability to benefit from and enjoy or participate in the Event,
including social events related to the Event and sponsored by AAPT;

5.undue
interruption of any Event, speaker, or session; and

6.violence
or threats of violence.

5.Reporting
an Incident

Event
participants or other individuals who witness or experience inappropriate
conduct at an Event, including but not limited to the prohibited conduct
described above, should report such conduct immediately to the Director of
Programs and Conferences, Tiffany Hayes at thayes@aapt.org/301-209-3302.If the individual is uncomfortable reporting
the conduct to the Director of Programs and Conferences for any reason, the
individual may report the conduct to AAPT’s Executive Officer, Beth Cunningham at bcunningham@aapt.org/301-209-3310 or Associate Executive Officer, Robert Hilborn
at rhilborn@aapt.org/301-209-3325.Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public
safety at the Event is advised to locate a house phone and call and ask for
security.He or she is not required or
expected to discuss the concern with the alleged offender.

AAPT cannot address
claimed inappropriate conduct or harassment unless the claims are brought to
the attention of AAPT leadership.Event
participants are encouraged to report any incidents as quickly as such
participant feels safe doing so.This
will help AAPT decrease incidents of harassment by increasing awareness and
allowing for appropriate action.

AAPT is
committed to taking all reasonable steps to prevent harassment and prohibited
conduct at its Events, and will make every reasonable effort to promptly and
completely address and correct any prohibited conduct that may occur at an AAPT
Event.

The following
guidelines for observers or targets of prohibited conduct are provided to help with
an investigation. AAPT will make every
effort to maintain the confidentiality of any supporting documentation.

AAPT can
investigate situations that arise at AAPT Events and in AAPT-sponsored online
communities provided in connection with such Events.If an Event participant experiences
inappropriate conduct or harassment at the participant’s own or another
institution, at a place of work, at a research facility, or online but not via
AAPT-sponsored channels (e.g., direct emails between parties) that individual
should contact the individual at that location or the individual’s home
institution who handles such issues, such as the Title IX Officer, Dean of
Students, Human Resources Director, mental health counselor, etc.

6.Investigation

AAPT will
promptly and impartially investigate the facts and circumstances of any claim
of inappropriate conduct or harassment at AAPT Events, but only with the
approval and cooperation of the individual(s) who experienced harassment.AAPT will make every effort to keep the
reporting individual’s concerns confidential and will not deliberately share
personal information other than to the investigator(s); however,
confidentiality cannot be guaranteed (for example, although efforts will be
made to reduce the chances, it may be possible to infer something about the
person(s) involved based upon the situation under question).

During an investigation,
AAPT or a designated independent consultant subject to obligations of
confidentiality, generally will do
the following (as necessary) to make a determination as to appropriate action:

·document
the nature of the complaint;

·interview
the complainant;

·conduct
further interviews as necessary, such as with witnesses or, at an appropriate
time, the alleged offender;

·document
the AAPT’s findings regarding the complaint;

· document
recommended follow-up actions and remedies, if warranted; and

·inform
the complainant of AAPT’s findings.

A specific
timeline for the investigation cannot be predicted in advance, as it may depend
upon the nature of the allegations and the investigation process. Every effort
will be made to act upon the investigation in a prompt and timely manner. Upon
completion of the investigation, AAPT will take corrective measures against any
person who has engaged in conduct in violation of this policy, if AAPT
determines such measures are necessary.

Notwithstanding,
AAPT reserves the right, upon receipt of a complaint, if in AAPT’s sole
reasonable discretion, the nature of such complaint requires the immediate
removal of an individual in order to ensure that Event may proceed safely and
without undue interruption, to remove an individual without undertaking an
investigation as described herein.

7.Disciplinary
Action

If AAPT
determines that an individual has engaged in prohibited conduct, AAPT shall
determine the appropriate action to be taken, which may include, but is not
limited to:

·private
reprimand;

·removal
from the Event without warning or refund;

·implementation
of conditions upon attendance at future AAPT Events; or

·restriction
from attendance at future AAPT Events.

AAPT may, but
is not required to, report any incident to proper authorities, including but
not limited to law enforcement, if in AAPT’s sole discretion such reporting is
advisable or necessary.If AAPT
determines that an individual has engaged in prohibited conduct at an AAPT
Event, and such individual is an AAPT member, AAPT may consider suspension or
termination of AAPT membership solely in compliance with any member
disciplinary or termination procedures adopted by AAPT that provide the member,
at a minimum, the rights of notice, a hearing, and a right to appeal any
adverse decision.

8.Retaliation
Is Not Tolerated

Retaliation
for complaints of inappropriate conduct or harassment are also considered
harassment and will not be tolerated. Retaliatory behavior in connection with AAPT
Events will be investigated in a similar manner to initial complaints.

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Upcoming Events

2018 Fall meeting of the SACS-AAPT

Oct 12, 2018
- Oct 13, 2018

The 2018 Fall meeting of the SACS-AAPT will be October 12-13 at Clemson University. There will be a Friday night banquet with a keynote speaker. The program for Saturday includes workshops, contributed talks, a poster session, and lunch.